With the 2023 regular season nearing its end, the Seattle Seahawks prepare to face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, in their second divisional matchup of the year. Heading into the last meeting, we looked at some of the top players to suit up for both franchises throughout both teams’ history, so this time around we're focusing on the 21st century:
RB Edgerrin James
In 2020, running back Edgerrin James was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame following an 11-season career spent with three teams. In 1999, James was selected fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts. In his first season, the University of Miami alum rushed for 1,553 yards and 13 touchdowns to take home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. James reached the 1,000-yard mark five times in seven seasons with Indianapolis, before joining the Cardinals as a free agent in 2006. In three seasons in Arizona, James recorded consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 2006 and 2007. In 39 starts, James rushed for 2,895 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns across 794 carries. In 2009, James joined the Seahawks for his final season, playing seven games.
DT Russell Davis
In 1999, the Chicago Bears selected North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Russell Davis in the second round. In his rookie season, Davis played 11 games, recording 17 tackles, 2.0 sacks and three tackles for loss. The following season, the Cardinals claimed Davis from the waiver wire, leading to five seasons in Arizona. In that span, Davis started 75 games, recording 234 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Davis would join the Seahawks in 2006 for one season, recording 3.0 sacks in 13 contests. In 2007, Davis earned a championship as part of the New York Giants' Super Bowl XLII team.
DL Red Bryant
Texas A&M defensive tackle Red Bryant was selected in Round 4 of the 2008 draft by the Seahawks, but his career didn't get off to the fastest start. Bryant played in 14 games across his first three seasons, before a move from defensive tackle to defensive end led to him becoming a starter in 2011. That season, the man known as "Big Red" would set a new franchise record of four blocked field goal attempts, while earning the Steve Largent Award for exemplary spirit and dedication to the organization. After being named a captain for the 2012-13 season, Bryant would go on to help the Seahawks win their first championship with a 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. In 2014, Bryant signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, starting every game before moving on to the Buffalo Bills the following offseason. After being waived by the Bills in the fall, Bryant played the final six games of his career with the Cardinals in 2015.
DT Alan Branch
After a decorated career at the University of Michigan, defensive tackle Alan Branch was drafted in the second round of the 2007 draft by the Cardinals. In four seasons, Branch participated in 47 games, recording 73 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles. Branch would get his first opportunity to be a starter with the Seahawks, after signing with Seattle in 2011. Branch would start all 31 games he played in with the Seahawks across two seasons, recording 63 combined tackles, 4.0 sacks, eight quarterback hits and six tackles for loss. In 2013, Branch joined the Buffalo Bills for one season before moving on to the New England Patriots. After playing just eight games in his first season with the franchise, Branch became a full-time starter in 2015, helping the Patriots to capture two Super Bowl rings (XLIX, LI).
G Pete Kendall
Boston College standout offensive lineman Pete Kendall was selected No. 21 overall in 1996 by the Seahawks. Beginning his career at left guard, Kendall became an immediate starter for Seattle to close out the century, starting in 75 of 76 games across five seasons. In 2001, Kendall joined the Cardinals, starting at left guard before moving to center in 2003. After starting all 36 contests over three seasons, Kendall moved on to the New York Jets in 2004 at 31-years old. Age didn't slow down Kendall's consistency, and he started all 45 games with the Jets across three seasons. In 2007, Kendall joined Washington for his final two seasons, starting 32 games at guard.
The Seahawks and Cardinals face off on Sunday, Jan 7, 2024. Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Cardinals.
Running back Ron Moore (30) of the Phoenix Cardinals is held to a one yard gain as he is tackled by Cortez Kennedy (96) of the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Washington, Dec. 19, 1993. Watching the play is Joe Wolf (68) of the Cardinals. Phoenix beat Seattle in overtime, 30-27. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Arizona Cardinals Chris Gedney (84) takes in a pass while in the grasp of Seattle Seahawks Fred Thomas (22) and goes for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Sept. 13, 1998 in Seattle. The play went 23 yards but wasnt enough as Seattle won the game 33-14. (AP Photo/Jay Drowns)
Seattle Seahawks' Itula Mili catches a 1-yard pass in the endzone from quarterback Trent Dilfer while Arizona Cardinals' Kwamie Lassiter stands in the background during the second quarter in Seattle Sunday Sept. 15, 2002. AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Arizona Cardinals Defensive End Kyle Vanden Bosch (93) runs during a week 10 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Phoenix, Arizona on November 10, 2002. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 27-6. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Seattle Seahawks' Chike Okeafor (56) strips the ball away from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, right, outruns Arizona Cardinals' Duane Starks on a 23-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in Seattle. Alexander rushed 30 times for 154 yards with three touchdowns, leading Seattle to a 24-21 win. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin, left, and Kelly Herdon, background right, break up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
FILE Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner loses control of the ball but regains control as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Darryl Tapp during the fourth quarter of a football game in Seattle, in this Sept. 17, 2006 file photo. One week after Warner was named NFC offensive player of the week in Arizona's season-opening victory over San Francisco, he was blamed, in part, by his coach for the offense's struggles in Sunday's 21-10 loss at Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson, left, hurries Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart (7) during the second quarter of their football game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals' Calvin Pace, rear right, Darnell Dockett, left, and Antonio Smith, center, pursue Seattle Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant returns an intercepted pass for an 84-yard touchdown from Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner with Ralph Brown diving after him during the fourth quarter of their football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007. The Seahawks won 42-21. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 16: Running back Maurice Morris #20 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday November 16, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Cardinals won the game 26-20. (AP Photo/Thomas E. Witte) T.J. Duckett
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace (15) throws as Arizona Cardinals' Bertrand Berry (92) pursues during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
From left, Seattle Seahawks? Colin Cole, Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin (81), Seahawks' Aaron Curry (59) and Cardinals' Mike Gandy in action during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks running back Justin Forsett (20) breaks free from Arizona Cardinals linebacker Clark Haggans (53) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks Marcus Trufant, left, and Walter Thurmond, right, tackle Arizona Cardinals Tim Hightower, center, causing a fumble, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Mike Williams (17) gains yards as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Greg Toler defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Seattle Seahawks David Hawthorne tackles Arizona Cardinals Todd Heap in the first half of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette, tops makes a touchdown reception over Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marshay Gren, bottom, during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) escapes a sack by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Reggie Walker during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012,in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) returns an interception from Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (19) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) pulls in a touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Yeremiah Bell (37) and Rashad Johnson (26) defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks' Russell Okung (76) defends against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Richard Sherman, left, runs coverage on Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) breaks the tackle of Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws as Arizona Cardinals nose tackle Rodney Gunter (95) pursues during the first half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Seahawks' Doug Baldwin (89) runs with the ball as Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson gives chase in the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals, 22-16. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Seahawks celebrate in the end zone.
Kenneth Walker III crashes into the end zone with a touchdown to cap Seattle's final scoring drive.
